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Researchers uncover South America's oldest and largest Mesozoic amber deposit with ancient insects and rainforest plants, offering new insights into Gondwana's ecosystems.
October 11, 2025
Source:
Science
Major Fossil Find in Ecuador
Scientists have unearthed an ancient amber deposit in Ecuador’s Napo province, dating back 112 million years to the Albian stage of the Lower Cretaceous. The discovery, made in the Genoveva quarry near Archidona, marks the first Mesozoic amber record with insect inclusions in South America. Researchers note the amber comes from the Hollín Formation of the Oriente Basin, offering a unique window into mid-Cretaceous tropical life (Phys.org, University of Barcelona).
Ancient Insects Had Their Home
The amber contains exceptionally preserved insects: wasps, midges, flies, beetles, and spider web fragments.
Fossilized plant pieces—ferns, cycads, and the region's earliest angiosperm (flowering plant) leaves—were found nearby.
These finds paint a picture of a humid, resin-rich tropical rainforest on Gondwana, the ancient supercontinent.
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Source:
Reuters
Significance for Paleontology
The Ecuadorian amber is now the oldest and largest Mesozoic amber deposit in South America containing trapped organisms. Such findings have been rare in the Southern Hemisphere, leaving gaps in the fossil record. Most significant amber with biological inclusions has previously been found in the Northern Hemisphere (Phys.org).
Key Insights Into Ancient Gondwana
This discovery offers the oldest record of angiosperm leaves in north-western South America.
Results suggest complex insect-flowering plant interactions took place in tropical forests much earlier than previously known (UB News).
Chemical analysis points to araucariaceous conifers as the resin's origin.
Read More
Source:
SciTechDaily
Broader Impact and Next Steps
The find bridges a crucial gap in Southern Hemisphere prehistory, showing that Cretaceous Ecuador had vibrant rainforests with diverse fauna and flora (Tribune India).
Research and Scientific Collaboration
The study was published in Communications Earth & Environment by Xavier Delclòs from the University of Barcelona and team.
Visual documentation of insect inclusions is available in the referenced news articles and scientific releases.
This discovery pushes the boundaries of understanding in tropical fossil ecosystems and insect-plant coevolution.
What other ancient ecosystems have been discovered in South America?
Other discoveries include the Crato and Santana formations in Brazil, which preserve ancient fish, insects, and plants, and Patagonia’s famous dinosaur beds.
How does the Ecuadorian amber compare to other amber deposits found globally?
What specific insects were found in the Ecuadorian amber?
How does the discovery of this amber impact our understanding of Gondwana?
What methods were used to date the amber found in Ecuador?
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